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Easy Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

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This easy ground turkey sweet potato skillet is a quick one-pan meal packed with protein and fiber. It is made with ground turkey, sweet potato, peas, herbs, and cheese in under 30 minutes for a dish the whole family will love. Gluten-free and easily made dairy-free!

Ground turkey sweet potato skillet mixture in a cast iron pan topped with melty cheese and fresh herbs.

I love an easy-on-pan meal like this beef taco skillet and now I am bringing you this amazing ground turkey sweet potato skillet recipe that is just as easy and packed with so much flavor! It combines ground turkey, sweet potato, peas, and cheese into this one-pan, delicious, hearty meal that even the kids will love!

Skillet meals have become a go-to for me during the busy school year when dinner creeps up on you with no warning. I love this turkey sweet potato skillet since it comes together in under 30 minutes and is also very macro-friendly with a healthy balance of carbs, protein, and fat. 

The flavors are amazing in this skillet meal. The ground turkey is seasoned with garlic and italian seasoning and then cooked with tasty sweet potatoes and vibrant peas. We topped it off with some manchego cheese and then popped it into the oven until golden and bubbly. It is so good!

Why you’ll love this ground turkey sweet potato skillet

  • Customizable  – swap ingredients with what you have on hand
  • Made in one pan – so no messy cleanup
  • Healthy quick meal – packed with protein, veggies and healthy carbs
  • Great for meal prep – this recipe stores and reheats beautifully
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Ingredients

Here is what you’ll need to make this simple turkey skillet meal with sweet potatoes.

Ingredients for sweet potato turkey skillet in bowls with labels over each ingredient.
  • Ground turkey – I used 93/7 ground turkey but any will work. You could also use ground beef or ground chicken. If using leaner meat then add a splash of stock or water to the pan to help cook the sweet potatoes.
  • Sweet potato – fresh cut sweet potatoes give this dish some added nutrients and they pair so well with the other ingredients. I used about 2 cups, of diced sweet potato.
  • Peas – I used frozen green peas but fresh peas will also work. You can also use frozen mixed vegetables or even green beans.
  • Manchego cheese – I added the cheese as a nice topping on this ground turkey sweet potato skillet. You can also use parmesan or mozzarella. Or skip the cheese to make this recipe dairy-free and whole30-friendly.
  • Olive oil – extra virgin olive oil is used to help brown the meat and add some healthy fat. You can also use avocado oil or ghee.
  • Onion + garlic – nice aromatics that add a beautiful layer of flavor.
  • Seasoning – Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper are simple seasonings that are so flavorful.

How To Make A Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

This turkey sweet potato skillet meal is so quick and easy to make. Here is a summary of how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos. Get the complete list of recipe ingredients, detailed instructions, and nutrition in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Heat the cast iron pan to medium heat on the stovetop with some oil. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up in the pan while it cooks. Season the turkey with half of the Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add the onions and garlic and continue cooking. 

Peas, carrots, and ground turkey in a cast iron skillet with shredded cheese in a bowl behind it.

Step 2: Add the diced sweet potato to the pan with the turkey, toss, and cook it for a few minutes. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, add the peas and a splash of water or stock to help the potatoes cook. Cover and cook for 2-3 more minutes. 

Pan filled with cooked gourd meat, sweet potato, and peas topped with a layer of shredded cheese with a striped towel next to it.

Step 3: Top the whole thing with the cheese in an even layer.

Cast iron pan filled with sweet potato, veggies mixture topped with melted cheese with a towel next to it.

Step 4: Pop it into a 425°F preheated oven, and cook for about 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted. Remove, top with fresh herbs like parsley, serve and enjoy!

Expert tips for success

  • Cut the sweet potatoes into smaller cubes so they cook faster. Don’t add too much sweet potato to the pan or it will take longer to cook and could dry out the meat
  • Use good quality ground turkey, I used 93/7
  • Don’t skip the seasoning, it adds so much flavor to this dish. But feel free to switch it up with any seasoning you like. 
  • Make sure to use a larger skillet – I used a 10-inch pan. 
  • If you are using leaner meat then add a few tablespoons of stock or water to add some additional moisture.  
Cooked turkey, peas and potato topped with melted cheese in a black pan with a hand lifting some of the mixture with a spoon.

Serving suggestions

This turkey skillet with sweet potato recipe is a complete meal all on its own but here are some other things you can serve with it. 

Substitutions and Variations

What’s so great about this turkey sweet potato skillet recipe is that you can easily swap ingredients, using what you have on hand. Here are some substitutions and variations to try. 

  • Ground turkey – use ground beef or even ground chicken. Note if using ground chicken, then you will likely need to add a bit of stock to help cook the potatoes.
  • Potatoes – I used sweet potatoes but white or purple potatoes will also work. You could even use peeled, diced butternut squash. 
  • Veggies – I used peas but bell peppers, green beans or mixed frozen veggies would all work great! You could even add in some chopped kale or spinach for extra nutrients. 
  • Seasoning – I love the combination of Italian seasoning and garlic powder but you could use any seasoning you like. We also love all the Dan-O seasonings.
  • Cheese – use parmesan, asiago, mozzarella or gruyere cheese. You can also omit the cheese and enjoy this turkey skillet recipe dairy-free! 

Meal Prepping Tips

To prep this recipe in advance you can pre-cut the sweet potatoes and store them submerged in water in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Then strain and dry them right before you are ready to make the rest of the recipe. 

This turkey sweet potato skillet also stores great! You can divide it into portions and take it for lunch or grab it for a quick meal any day of the week! See storing and reheating tips below. 

Storing and Reheating Ground Turkey Skillet

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat portions in the microwave until warmed through.

FAQs

What size skillet works best?

You want to use a large skillet so you can easily fit everything and it cooks evenly. I recommend a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet but a heavy-bottomed pan will also work fine.

Is this sweet potato turkey skillet recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe, as written is gluten-free.

Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes?

To keep this recipe super easy, I did not peel the sweet potatoes. Plus the skin has added nutrients. If you prefer to peel the potatoes that is totally up to you.

More Ground Turkey Recipes

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Did you try this ground turkey sweet potato skillet recipe? If you did, then please leave a rating and comment below. I would love to hear how yours turned out!

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Ground turkey sweet potato skillet mixture in a cast iron pan topped with melty cheese and fresh herbs.

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet

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  • Author: Amy Estes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

This ground turkey sweet potato skillet is an easy one-pan meal packed with protein and fiber. It is made with ground turkey, sweet potato, peas, and cheese in under 30 minutes for a simple, healthy meal the whole family will love!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ cup diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic – peeled and minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups diced sweet potato
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • ⅔ cup grated manchego cheese
  • Fresh chopped parsley – optional for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. 
  2. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium heat on the stovetop. Then add the oil. 
  3. Add the ground turkey to the pan, breaking it up in the pan, then season it with salt and pepper. Toss and cook it for a few minutes. Then add the onions and garlic.
  4. Toss everything together and cook until the onions become translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Then stir in the Italian seasoning and more salt and pepper, to taste. 
  5. Add the sweet potatoes to the pan and toss them with the ground turkey mixture. Add 1-2 tablespoons of stock or water if the mixture looks dry. Cover the pan and cook for about 5 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Then add the peas, cover, and cook the mixture for 2 more minutes. 
  6. Top everything with the cheese in an even layer, place it on the top rack of the oven, and bake for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melty and bubbly. 
  7. Once it is ready, remove the turkey sweet potato skillet from the oven, top with fresh herbs, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

  • I used 93/7 ground turkey for great flavor but any ground turkey will work. You could also use ground chicken or ground beef. 
  • I recommend using at least a 10-inch cast iron skillet. 
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat portions in the microwave until warmed through. 
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: main dishes
  • Method: stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
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